.png)
There’s something exciting about getting a new pair of skates, whether they’re second-hand or an upgrade from our rentals. However, when it comes to maintenance, it can feel like a whole new challenge to keep them gliding smoothly and feeling as good as new.
Whether you're gliding around the rink or speeding down Pier Head at Liverpool’s waterfront, proper skate maintenance is essential to keep every ride smooth, safe, and enjoyable. Regular upkeep not only keeps your skates in good condition but also extends their lifespan, making sure they remain reliable.
We've put together a helpful guide to ensure you get the most out of your skating experience on the rink by properly caring for your skates. Also, if you're still unsure about which roller skate upgrade to choose, we’ve included a skate buying guide below to help you make the right decision.
Clean Your Skates Regularly
Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on and within your skates affecting their performance and even causing wear and tear. After each skating session, take a few minutes to wipe down your skates with a soft cloth to remove any dirt. This is especially important when skating outdoors.
Check Your Wheels
Wheels take a lot of wear, and how long they last depends on how often you skate and the surfaces you skate on. It’s important to keep an eye on the condition of your wheels.
Inspect for Damage: Check for flat spots, cracks, or excessive wear. If your wheels are no longer rolling smoothly or have become misshapen, it’s time to replace them.
Rotate Your Wheels: To ensure even wear, rotate your wheels regularly. If you mostly skate in one direction, the front wheels will wear more quickly than the back ones. Simply swap them around to give each wheel a turn on the high-pressure spots you use regularly.
Lubricate and Clean your Bearings
Bearings keep your wheels rolling smoothly, so they need to be properly maintained to ensure optimal performance. Bearings are small circular discs of metal with tiny balls inside that allow the wheel to roll. Skates have 2 bearings per wheel (16 total) and these can be popped out of the wheel and cleaned using a strong alcohol such as Isopropyl and a cloth. It is important to use a specific skate lubrication after so wheels rotate smoothly and don't cease up
Tighten and Adjust Your Trucks
If you have adjustable trucks (typically on quad skates), it’s essential to check their tightness - as this can really affect the flexibility of your ankle. Loosening the trucks to your personal preference will allow you to lean, curve, and take corners more easily. You can adjust your trucks with a T-bar skate tool which you can buy online or from any skate shop.
Toe Stops and Jam Plugs
Your toe stops or stoppers are crucial for braking, especially if you're an aggressive skater or doing technical moves. Toe stoppers and Jam plugs come in a variety of colours, sizes and shapes so it’s important to choose the correct one for your style of skating.
Adjustable toe stops have a metal stem that you wind into the skate plate. They are secured with either a nut, a washer or an allen key. Adjustable toe stops can be moved up or down to suit each individual skater. They also come in different stem heights - long and short. Often roller derby or outdoor skaters will choose a longer length while jam skaters or skate park skaters will choose short, ultimately it’s personal preference.
Jam plugs are also a popular choice for many skaters. They are small, round, rubber or plastic stoppers that can be inserted into the toe stop holes on the skate plate. They offer a flush and smooth surface, removing the protruding toe stops altogether. They allow you to fully access your toes which is essential as you move onto skate moves such as toe spins or crazy legs. They are not designed to be used for slowing down or stopping.
Replace Worn Parts When Needed
Skates are made up of several components, and each one has a limited lifespan. Here’s when to replace specific parts:
Wheels: Replace wheels when they’re worn down or damaged.
Bearings: Bearings need to be replaced if cleaning and lubrication no longer improve their performance.
Toe Stops/Plugs: If your toe stops are worn out, replace them to maintain proper braking function.
Wheel Buying Guide
When buying rollerskating wheels, you may have noticed that wheels are categorised with a numerical number and a letter. Generally a soft wheel (78A-88A) will grip but won’t roll as fast as a harder wheel (94A-98A). Harder wheels won’t grip as well as softer ones but tend to roll quicker on a wooden or solid smooth floor. If you are considering skating outdoors then 78A would help absorb the bumps on rougher surfaces.
Widths can vary from 30mm to 42mm and height from 55mm to 70mm. The smaller wheels are primarily used for artistic or dance for the ability to easily manoeuvre them. The wider and larger wheels are great for speed and outdoor grip.
Skate buying Guide
Deciding on a pair of skates to buy can be a difficult task. With a wide range of options and styles, it can feel like an impossible task trying to pick. Here’s our recommendations:
Both Inline and Quad skates can be purchased from a variety of places including:
Ebay
Facebook Marketplace
Amazon
Specialised skate shops online such as Skatehut, Skate Euro Shop and Roller Girl Gang (Many more can be found by a quick online search)
Skate shops local to Liverpool: Wigan Roller Rink and Hive Skate Shop Manchester
Quad skate brands:
Rookie
Edea
Riedell
Chaya
Moxie
Rio
Impala
Bauer
Sure Grip
LMNADE
Other points to consider:
Boot height can affect performance and comfortability. A higher boot provides more ankle support, which can be helpful for beginners or those who need extra stability. However, this added support can limit flexibility and restrict natural ankle movement. On the other hand, lower cut boots can offer more freedom of motion but may not offer the same level of support.
The boot’s design, whether it has a raised heel or a flat sole, also impacts weight distribution. Heeled skates shift your weight onto the balls of your feet, similar to wearing high heels, which can help balance for certain skating styles. However flat skates encourage a more even weight distribution toward the heels, which may offer a different sense of stability and comfort depending on your preference.
Still unsure? Drop off your skates with Ophelia and let our team give them a thorough health check before or during our sessions.
Comments